Clare Mar-Molinero begins with a discussion of the position of Spanish as a world language, giving an historical account of its development and dominance. She continues with an examination of social and regional variation in Spanish, and investigates dialects, language attitudes, and style and register, particularly in the media. She also questions the relationship between gender and language. The book ends with a focus on current issues, particularly those arising from language policies and legislation, especially in the education system. Written for readers with a practical knowledge of Spanish. the book is informative and practical, encouraging readers to think for themselves.
-- Describes Spanish as spoken in various countries, including the US, puerto Rico, Spain, Bolivia, Basque and Guatemala